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185-245/40-65 R15-20 201 sizes
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Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125

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The Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 is a premium summer touring tire with a clear focus on confident, everyday road performance. It stands out for strong dry grip and braking, and it also performs well in wet braking, helping it feel reassuring in typical UK conditions. Drivers commonly highlight its comfortable, refined ride and strong value, particularly when new. The main caveats are that wet grip and aquaplaning resistance can drop off as the tire wears, and road noise can increase with mileage.

8.7
Tire Reviews Score Based on Professional Tests & User Reviews
High Confidence View Breakdown
Dry Grip
89%
Wet Grip
80%
Road Feedback
80%
Handling
79%
Wear
80%
Comfort
80%
Buy again
80%
123 Reviews
81% Average
1,201,194 miles driven
29 Tests (avg: 5th)
Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125

Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125

Summer Premium
BETA
8.7 / 10
Based on Professional Tests & User Reviews · High Confidence · Updated 23 Feb 2026

The Tire Reviews Score is the most comprehensive tire scoring system available. It aggregates professional test data from multiple independent publications, user reviews, and consistency analysis using Bayesian statistical methods, weighted normalisation, and recency-adjusted scoring to produce a single, reliable performance rating.

Learn more about our methodology
Category Scores
Dry
90.6
1.8x / 27 tests
Comfort
76.7
0.32x / 14 tests
Wet
75.3
2x / 40 tests
Off road
74
0.53x / 4 tests
Value
60.5
0.42x / 23 tests
Cross-Category Performance

Cross-category scores are derived metrics that combine data from multiple test disciplines to evaluate real-world performance characteristics.

Traction
87.3
3 tests
Braking
86.4
28 tests
Handling
78.5
29 tests
Score Components
Professional Tests
Weight: 80%
Tests: 29
Publications: 12
Period: 2016 - 2022
User Reviews
Weight: 15%
Reviews: 123
Avg Rating: 81%
Min Required: 5
Consistency
Weight: 5%
Score Std Dev: 0.34
History Points: 10
Methodology & Configuration
Scoring Process
  1. Collect Test Data: Gather results from professional tire tests across multiple publications. Minimum 1 test(s) required.
  2. Normalize Positions: Convert test positions to percentile scores using exponential weighting (factor: 1.2).
  3. Apply Recency Weighting: More recent tests are weighted higher with a decay rate of 0.95.
  4. Incorporate User Reviews: Factor in user review data (minimum 5 reviews). Weight: 15%.
  5. Bayesian Smoothing: Apply Bayesian prior (score: 7, weight: 1.5) to prevent extreme scores with limited data.
  6. Calculate Final Score: Combine all components using normalization factor of 1.1. Max score with limited data: 9.5.
Component Weights
Test Data
80%
User Reviews
15%
Consistency
5%
All Configuration Parameters
ParameterValueDescription
safety_weight 0.7 Weight multiplier for safety-related metrics
performance_weight 0.55 Weight multiplier for performance metrics
comfort_weight 0.4 Weight multiplier for comfort metrics
value_weight 0.45 Weight multiplier for value-for-money metrics
user_reviews_weight 0.15 How much user reviews contribute to the final score
test_data_weight 0.8 How much professional test data contributes to the final score
consistency_weight 0.05 How much score consistency contributes to the final score
recency_decay_rate 0.95 Rate at which older test results lose influence (higher = slower decay)
min_test_count 1 Minimum number of professional tests required
min_review_count 5 Minimum number of user reviews required
score_version 1.9 Current version of the scoring algorithm
score_normalization_factor 1.1 Factor used to normalize raw scores to the 0-10 scale
confidence_factor_weight 0.2 How much data confidence affects the final score
position_penalty_weight 0.2 Penalty applied for poor test positions
gap_penalty_threshold 12 Score gap (%) that triggers additional penalties
min_metrics_count 2 Minimum number of test metrics needed per test
limited_data_threshold 2 Number of tests below which data is considered limited
single_test_penalty 0.75 Score multiplier when only one test is available
critical_metric_penalty 0.7 Penalty for poor performance on critical safety metrics
critical_metric_threshold 70 Score below which a critical metric penalty applies
position_exponential_factor 1.2 Exponent used to amplify position-based scoring
position_exponential_threshold 0.9 Position percentile below which exponential scoring applies
gap_multiplier_critical 3 Multiplier for critical gap penalties
max_category_weight 2 Maximum weight any single category can have
max_score_limited_data 9.5 Score cap when data is limited
bayesian_prior_weight 1.5 Weight of the Bayesian prior in smoothing
bayesian_prior_score 7 Prior score used for Bayesian smoothing
evidence_test_multiplier 1.9 Multiplier for test evidence in confidence calculation
evidence_metric_divisor 3 Divisor for metric count in evidence calculation
evidence_review_divisor 10 Divisor for review count in evidence calculation
combined_penalty_floor 0.2
Data Sources
TestPublicationDateSizePositionMetrics
2022 ADAC 16" SUV Summer Tire Test ADAC 2022 215/60 R16 8/18 0 metrics
2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tire Test Auto Bild 2021 205/55 R16 6/20 10 metrics
2021 ADAC Summer Tire Test - 205/55 R16 ADAC 2021 205/55 R16 7/15 1 metrics
2021 53 Summer Tire Braking Test Auto Bild 2021 205/55 R16 1/53 2 metrics
2020 Tire Reviews Ultimate Summer Tire Test Tire Reviews 2020 205/55 R16 11/12 12 metrics
2020 New 17 Inch Summer Tire Test al volante 2020 225/45 R17 7/10 6 metrics
2020 Teknikens 17 Inch Summer Tire Test 2020 225/50 R17 6/10 7 metrics
2020 Auto Zeitung Summer Tire Test Auto Zeitung 2020 225/50 R17 5/20 11 metrics
2020 ACE Mid Range Summer Tire Test ACE 2020 215/55 R17 8/9 0 metrics
2020 ADAC SUV Summer Tire Test ADAC 2020 235/55 R17 5/12 1 metrics
2019 Swedish Summer Tire Test Test World 2019 205/55 R16 4/13 5 metrics
2019 ACE Summer Tire Test ACE 2019 205/55 R16 6/9 0 metrics
2019 AMS Summer SUV Tire Test Auto Motor Und Sport 2019 215/55 R17 4/11 10 metrics
2019 SUV 4x4 Summer Tire Test Auto Bild Allrad 2019 225/55 R17 2/10 12 metrics
2018 Auto Review 225/45 R17 Tire Test 2018 225/45 R17 3/11 0 metrics
2018 Gute Fahrt Summer Tire Test Gute Fahrt 2018 205/55 R16 7/12 4 metrics
2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tire Test Auto Bild 2018 195/65 R15 1/20 10 metrics
2018 AutoBild Summer Tire Overview Auto Bild 2018 195/65 R15 1/47 0 metrics
2018 ADAC Summer Tire Test - 205/55 R16 ADAC 2018 205/55 R16 5/16 0 metrics
2018 AZ Summer AND All Season Tire Test Auto Zeitung 2018 225/45 R17 5/9 8 metrics
2017 Auto Express Summer Tire Test Auto Express 2017 205/55 R16 5/11 0 metrics
2017 Mid Range Tire Test Motor 2017 205/55 R16 6/10 4 metrics
2017 ACE SUV Summer Tire Test ACE 2017 215/60 R17 4/11 0 metrics
2017 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test Auto Bild 2017 225/50 R17 5/20 5 metrics
2017 AZ Summer Tire Test Auto Express 2017 215/55 R17 6/10 0 metrics
2017 ADAC 195/65 R15 Summer Tire Test ADAC 2017 195/65 R15 14/16 0 metrics
2017 Auto Bild Summer Tire Shootout Auto Bild 2017 225/50 R17 2/43 0 metrics
2016 AutoBild Summer Tire Test Auto Bild 2016 205/55 R16 1/15 0 metrics
2016 Market Overview - Braking Test Auto Bild 2016 205/55 R16 2/50 0 metrics
All Tests
View Test Results
29
Tests
5th
Average
1st
Best
14th
Worst
Latest Tire Test Results
2022 ADAC 16" SUV Summer Tire Test
215/60 R16 • 2022
8th/18
Good in the dry, low wear.
Weakness in wet handling.
Overall, the Hankook ventus Prime 3 K125 does not get more than a satisfactory rating. Although it can still achieve a good result in the dry thanks to its braking distance, it shows slight weaknesses on wet roads. However, its wear behavior is convincing, for which it receives a very good rating. In the sum of its properties, the tire is classified as recommendable.
2021 53 Summer Tire Braking Test
205/55 R16 • 2021
1st/53
2021 ADAC Summer Tire Test - 205/55 R16
205/55 R16 • 2021
7th/15
Very good in the dry, relatively low fuel consumption.
Average wet performance.
The Hankook Ventus Prime3 is a dry specialist, up there with the best in dry braking and good levels of control and grip in dry handling. In contrast, the Hankook is average in the wet, finishing midpack. Low noise and low fuel consumption.
Size Fuel Wet Noise
15 inch
195/65R15 91 V C B 71
195/65R15 91 H C B 71
195/65R15 91 V C B 71
195/55R15 85 H C A 71
195/55R15 85 V C A 71
195/65R15 91 H C B 71
195/55R15 85 V C B 71
195/55R15 89 V XL C A 72
195/55R15 89 V XL C A 72
185/65R15 92 V XL B A 71
195/55R15 85 H C A 71
195/55R15 85 V C B 71
195/65R15 91 V C B 71
195/65R15 91 V C B 71
195/65R15 91 H C B 71
195/55R15 85 V C B 71
195/55R15 85 V C C 71
16 inch
205/60R16 92 H B B 66
205/55R16 91 V C A 71
205/55R16 91 H C B 71
205/55R16 94 W XL C A 72
215/60R16 95 V C A 69
205/55R16 91 W B A 70
205/55R16 91 H C B 71
205/55R16 91 V C A 71
205/55R16 94 V XL C A 72
205/55R16 94 W XL C A 72
205/60R16 96 V XL C A 72
205/60R16 96 W XL C A 72
205/60R16 92 V B B 70
205/55R16 91 W C B 71
205/55R16 91 H C B 71
205/55R16 91 V C A 71
215/60R16 99 H XL C A 72
215/60R16 99 H XL C A 72
215/60R16 99 V XL C A 72
205/60R16 92 H C A 71
205/60R16 96 H XL C A 72
205/60R16 92 V C A 71
205/60R16 92 H B A 70
205/55R16 94 H XL A B 71
205/60R16 96 H XL A A 67
205/60R16 92 H A B 71
205/55R16 94 H XL C A 72
205/60R16 92 H B A 70
205/60R16 92 V A B 71
17 inch
215/55R17 94 V C A 69
225/45R17 94 W XL C A 72
225/50R17 98 W XL C A 72
205/50R17 93 W XL C B 72
215/45R17 91 W XL C B 72
215/55R17 94 W C B 71
225/45R17 94 W XL C A 72
225/50R17 98 W XL C A 72
225/45R17 94 V XL C A 72
225/50R17 98 V XL C A 72
215/45R17 91 W XL C B 72
215/45R17 91 V XL C A 72
225/50R17 94 W C A 71
225/50R17 94 W C A 71
225/45R17 91 Y C A 71
215/55R17 94 V B B 71
215/55R17 94 V A B 69
215/55R17 94 V A B 69
225/60R17 99 V C B 71
225/45R17 91 W C B 71
215/45R17 91 V XL B B 71
215/55R17 94 V A B 69
215/45R17 91 V XL B B 71
215/55R17 94 V C C 71
205/50R17 93 V XL C C 72
225/60R17 99 V C A 71
205/50R17 93 V XL C B 72
215/55R17 98 W XL C B 72
215/55R17 94 W C B 71
205/50R17 89 V C A 71
205/50R17 93 W XL C B 72
215/45R17 87 V C B 70
18 inch
245/40R18 97 Y XL C A 72
225/40R18 92 W XL C A 72
245/45R18 96 W B B 71
245/45R18 96 W C B 71
225/40R18 92 W XL C C 72
245/45R18 100 W XL C A 72
View All Sizes and EU Label Scores for the Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 >>

Questions and Answers for the Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125

Ask a question
June 19, 2016

Would these tires (in 195/55 R16) be a good replacement for the Continental Premium Contact 2 SSR runflats that came with my MINI Cooper Clubman? I would prefer non-runflats. Thank you

The Hankook Ventus Prime3 is a very well rated tire, and would be a fine replacement for the OE runflat Continentals. You should notice improved comfort, lower fuel use, improved wet grip and less noise, but ensure you have a plan to deal with a deflated tire as you won't have a spare.
October 7, 2016

I live in Greece and I own a Kia Cee'd (2007). I'm going to replace the 3,5 years old tires (Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance) but I don't know which ones are better for my car; The Hankook Ventus Prime 3 or the Michelin CrossClimate? I know that the Michelin are more expensive but I'd like to feel safe at all road conditions. Do the Hankooks ensure my driving security at a sudden snowfall? Thank you.

Only the Michelin CrossClimate tires will work safely in snow and ice. The Goodyear and Hankook tires are both summer tires and as such will have very little snow and ice performance.
December 25, 2018

I have a Cayman 2.9 and am looking to run a squared setup of 245/40/18, would these be a good tire for track and street work on a car with 265hp, or would you recommend another tire like ps4? Also, would you recommend a square setup that low on the car, as the standard setup for a 18" cayman is 235/40/18 front and 265/40/18 rear.

Sadly I've not used the Prime3 on track, or do I know anything about changing tire sizes on a Cayman! Perhaps check out an owners club online to see if others have made this change.
August 24, 2019

I have now 4 Michelin primacy 3 tires on my Opel/Vauxhall Astra K 1.0. What do you recommend for a 1 pair change: Ventus prime 3 of Efficient Grip Performance? Or maybe an s1 evo 3 or a Eagle F1 assymetric 5 pair? I will start with 1 pair change beacause the profile of the other pair is still good. Thanks

The Ventus Prime 3 and Efficient Grip Performance are a more natural match for the Primacy 3, however if you want to switch to a more sporty tire that's ok as long as it's done in pairs.
October 5, 2019

If you can choose between the Hankook Ventus Prime 3 or the Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance, what would you choose for a dynamic (but not speeding) drivestyle?

I'm afraid I've not driven the two back to back, so I'd be shooting in the dark. Some of the tests on the site should comment on the subjective handling of each tire.
April 7, 2023

Which would be a better choice for my compact Mitsubishi Lancer sedan, the Hankook ventus prime 3 or the Kumho Ecsta ps31? I am looking for a comfortable tire with low noise and good breaking distance.

The Hankook is a touring (comfort bias) tire and the Kumho is a high performance model, so if comfort and noise are a priority I would go with the Hankook.
March 7, 2025

Hello Which would be a better replacement for the Continentals on my Vauxhall Agila Design 2009 - the garage has offered Hankook Ventus Prime 3, Kumho ES31 Ecowing or a Laufenn tire. I have to replace all four tires. And does it matter which one I choose to work with the spare wheel? I drive on motorway and lanes. The Ventus is more or less the same price as the original Continentals. I really wanted a mid range tire. Thank you.

Hankook is the best of those three options, though I would shop around if you're not getting what you want.
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Review Summary

Based on 101 user reviews

Drivers largely praise the Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 for excellent dry grip and braking, comfortable ride quality, and strong value for money. Many report good stability and low noise when new, with several noting respectable tread life. Common drawbacks are weaker wet grip and aquaplaning resistance as the tire wears or in heavy rain, plus road noise that tends to increase over time; a few also find the sidewalls/steering feel too soft for sporty driving. Overall sentiment is strongly positive for everyday touring use, with a few caveats for aggressive wet driving and long-term noise.

Strengths
  • Strong dry grip and braking
  • Comfortable ride
  • Good value for money
  • Quiet/low noise when new
  • Stable
  • Predictable handling
  • Decent tread life for many drivers
Areas for Improvement
  • Weaker wet grip and aquaplaning resistance
  • Especially as they wear
  • Noise increases with mileage
  • Soft sidewalls/less sporty steering feel
  • Variable treadwear; some report faster wear

Top 3 Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 Reviews

Given 79% while driving a Toyota Auris (205/55 R16) on mostly country roads for 5,000 average miles
Great bang for a buck, these affordable tires are very good on dry roads, and acceptable on wet roads. Noise is acceptable.
Helpful 964
April 15, 2025
Given 76% while driving a Toyota 2011 Corolla Altis (205/55 R16) on mostly motorways for 12,000 spirited miles
better than expected, especially at a reasonable price. previously driving on a set of dunlop enasave ec300+ from the previous owner for about 12000 loud and slippery miles, hit the TWI, changed immidiately to a set of these and the difference is night and day. definitely will be buying back.

plus:
(+) relatively cheap for a premium tire (idr 995k/pc vs 1200k/pc for dunlop enasave)
(+) amazing dry grip for the price
(+) surprisingly quiet

minus:
(-) might need to check your tire pressure more often, especially if you live in an area where the roads are terrible
(-) they easily develop crevices/bulges around the sidewall
(-) wet grip is ok, but could be better
Helpful 1071
February 12, 2025
Given 63% while driving a Honda Accord (195/60 R15) on mostly motorways for 0 average miles
These tires are extremly hard and comfort is not so good even when it's new. Driving is safe on dry and wet roads.
Helpful 1027
February 11, 2025

How would you rate the Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125?

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Latest Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 Reviews

Initial Impressions Review
Given 48% while driving a Volkswagen Golf MK4 TDI 100 (195/65 R15) on for 7,000 miles
Good budget tire, but very poor wet traction, even with a 90hp car.
Helpful 0
February 23, 2026
Given 83% while driving a Renault Megane (185/60 R15) on a combination of roads for 20,000 average miles
Great summer tires:

- Amazing quality/price ratio when bought in 2021
- Excellent on dry roads: good lateral grip, short braking distance
- Good comfort/handling balance: good steering feedback, predictable handling, handle well rough roads as well as highways
- Decent lifespan : 32'000km
- Average good on wet roads: good lateral grip when new, hydroplaning can happen below 3mm of tread, poor grip on cold wet roads around 3-5°C, when you'd normally switch to winter tires
- Quiet when new and got a little noisy after a year and 6'000km
- Cope decently well with the heat, they can do 15~20km on a race track before handling gets sloppy. Handling when hot is still safe and gets back to normal once cooled down. There's no way to overheat them on open roads.
Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 image Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 additional image
Helpful 186
December 25, 2025
Check out how the BEST all seasons tires perform against premium summer and winter tires!
Given 69% while driving a SEAT Arona (205/55 R17) on mostly motorways for 33 average miles
If you say that it is sufficient for average use, I am neither calm nor aggressive, I have a use that is exactly in the middle, this tire will impress you. I have used it for 2 years and 8 months and 33,000 km and the cracks on the sidewalls have occurred excessively. The service life is short. The excellent dry ground braking performance that was in the beginning drops to average. After the tire wears a little, the road holding is ideal and there is no visible loss of grip after wear. Would I recommend it? Yes, I actually do. But for those who do not care about the life of the tire and say that quick wear and cracking on the sidewalls is not a problem and I constantly buy new tires, I recommend it. However, it is not suitable for those who want the tire to provide full performance and durability for a long time, because the performance and service life of the tire wears out quickly in a short time.
Helpful 219
November 25, 2025
Given 73% while driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Sportback (225/40 R18) on a combination of roads for 28,000 average miles
Rm300 during 2022 for a piece is quite a bang for the bucks, however just 35000km it shows side wall cracks, maybe long time less gas, or bad shock absorber in the front
Helpful 1009
January 30, 2025
Given 78% while driving a Volkswagen Polo 1.4 TDI (185/60 R15) on mostly motorways for 1,000 average miles
Initial impressions: very good dry grip! Relatively quiet and comfortable.
It was 70EUR for 185 60 R15 - the best overall price / performance.
Made in Hungary.
Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 image
Helpful 990
January 21, 2025
Given 83% while driving a Hyundai Tucson (215/65 R17) on mostly country roads for 34,000 average miles
I’ve used them for two summers in Sweden, driven about 55000km and they still have some useful tread left. None of the tires are below 4.5mm. They are more of an comfortable tire than a sporty but they grip well and have never let me down this far
Helpful 1066
October 19, 2024
Given 96% while driving a Volkswagen Caddy (205/60 R16) on a combination of roads for 27,961 average miles
These tires came with the car, really good. Good comfort, low noise levels.
I bought them because they had an sealent that would be good against punctures but this year we didn't get any nails or screw, so we never got to try out if they held.
Felt secure on rainy days, while the treads worns out the more we reduce the speed on wet roads.

Half of the life of the tires we rotated them.

We could probably have them on for 12427 miles more, but colder weahter is coming!
Helpful 1001
October 5, 2024
Given 74% while driving a Ford Fiesta (195/50 R15) on a combination of roads for 10,000 spirited miles
Good on dry roads, OK on wet roads. If you drive calmly it's no problem. With a sportier driving style it wears out quickly. Braking distances are very good in dry weather, but OK in any weather.
Helpful 1021
September 2, 2024
Given 83% while driving a Hyundai Tucson (215/65 R17) on a combination of roads for 218,000 average miles
I find these tires to be very comfortable, which is why I got them. I drive 200km to work, five days a week and I can’t find anything wrong with them so far. I’ve driven approximately 35000km since I bought this set and it has hardly worn at all and they have never disappointed
Helpful 1025
May 15, 2024
Given 81% while driving a Volkswagen Polo 6R 1.6 Tdi Bluemotion (195/55 R15) on a combination of roads for 10,000 spirited miles
Been fitted on my Polo for more than a year now. The grip on dry road is exceptional, way more than I was used to with my old Goodyear efficient grip perf. even when these were new. The car is planted and stable at cornering and aggressive inputs to the steering wheel. Dry braking is also very good. I've pushed these tires hard on twisty mountain roads and I can tell you these are very good performers.

In the rain they perform well and with no surprise. No aquaplanning noted but always driving safely when wet.

Wear seems a bit much, they appear to be at 75% life remaining after one year and 15000Km. This was to be expected from the good dry grip. You lose some you win some.

I'd buy again for the price and performance but I hope the new pattern will be available on my size when I change these.
Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 image
Helpful 1054
April 9, 2024
Given 96% while driving a Volkswagen Passat B5.5 1.9 TDi 130bhp highline (205/55 R16) on mostly town for 10,000 average miles
One of the best tires i have driven. Very good handeling and grip on all surfaces. Braking with this tires is outstanding. I drive them for 3 seasons and they still got it.
Helpful 1104
November 4, 2023
Given 87% while driving a Mazda CX 3 (215/55 R18) on a combination of roads for 22,000 spirited miles
Purchased a front set on my mazda cx-3 about 2 years ago, have done 22,000 miles and still on 3.5 mm and cant feel any difference in quality. Driven over a mix of motorway. Country and city roads. Would definitely purchase again as was only £35 per tire more then budgets and lasted twice as long
Helpful 1117
August 22, 2023
Rate the Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125